Hartford CT vs Kansas City MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.7 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 8.5% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 36.1% | 25.8% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 12.3% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,527 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $253,319 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 501 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2418 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 54.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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